Harper Woods approves $177,826 interest share for Milk River SRF amid resident frustration over bond costs

Harper Woods — The City Council voted Sept. 25 to pay Wayne County $177,826.05 as the city’s proportionate share of interest on two SRF projects tied to the Milk River basin, a regional stormwater and wastewater retention/treatment facility.

The payment prompted extended discussion. A councilmember asked whether alternatives exist to the Milk River arrangement; staff responded there is not an alternative at this time and described the multi‑community bond arrangement. As one staff member explained, the Milk River basin is a regional facility that “treats all the water before it's discharged into the Detroit River,” and that it holds stormwater during events to keep basements from flooding.

Residents at the meeting expressed both frustration and gratitude. One resident, Denise Walker, said the Milk River work had stopped repeated basement flooding in her home and thanked the council: “I feel like this is a good recommendation, a good payment, whatever.” Other residents and councilmembers expressed anger over the size of the interest payment and asked whether the communities tied to the bond could seek different financing; staff said the bond terms and completion schedule mean the payments will continue until the bond is retired.

City staff characterized the invoice as part interest and part principal structure across multiple components (interest, and separate operational and maintenance costs) and said the current interest rates on the outstanding bonds are lower than rates available today, meaning the historical bond terms remain the payment obligation until paid off.

The council approved the payment after discussion and recorded a roll call vote in favor of the resolution. Staff committed to continuing outreach and to answering follow‑up questions about the multi‑community arrangement and the schedule for remaining bond payments.